This train set is very particular and getting it to work each Christmas is a family tradition in frustration. First you must make sure that all the pieces of track are connected properly and that the track is perfectly symmetrical and flat. We double-check the battery positions every year and find one in wrong. There are + and - signs, but they're hard to see; use a flashlight. There is a black toggle switch below and behind the red stack that toggles forward (to make the train go forward) and backwards (reverse); straight out perpendicular to the train is the "stop" position. Also, you have to start at a stop/switch station. One other note: behind the red stack, there is a smaller black stack. If you turn this, you can make smoke come out of the stack. I think I remember someone suggesting a drop of cooking oil. Hope this helps!!! Hope you get it set up for Christmas!!!

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Try cleaning the track AND wheels with an INK ERASER. Put the engine on the track and help it along. It could just be tight from sitting in the box. I live about 8 miles from the Strasburg railroad and have 2 relatives working there. We have ALL experienced the same thing on4 different sets. It isn't just the Strasburg sets that do this, it's most of the new toys. Your Strasburg cars might not connect to other train sets. Their car couplings are different, just like on their real trains.

This goes back about 40 years for me. Both Lionel and TYCO had "smokers" in their train sets. My recollection was that the "special smoke oil" was a mixture of very highly refined kerosene and parafin wax. Try a hobby shop such as Hobby Town or some such.

If the smoke unit was working, and no longer does, it may be burned out. Did you turn the unit off after running it out of fluid? If not, it will need to be replaced. The switch is behind the smokke box door on the front of the boiler. I'm not sure if the smoke unit is a warranty replacement part, but a check with Bachmann Parts & Services & they will give you an answer.http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/prod_serv.php

The batteries go in the first car following the lokomotive, the coal tender. There is a small black knob with a ****. Turn it, and it will open the top part, so you can put the batteries in. This train set will not take a rechargeable battery. Bummer...

The battery pack is in the coal tender. The top of the tender lifts off pretty simply. It requires six C batteries. You connect the tender to the locomotive via a power cord, which should be obvious. If it's not, perhaps the cord has been severed.

This train set is very particular and getting it to work each Christmas is a family tradition in frustration. First you must make sure that all the pieces of track are connected properly and that the track is perfectly symmetrical and flat. We double-check the battery positions every year and find one in wrong. There are + and - signs, but they're hard to see; use a flashlight. There is a black toggle switch below and behind the red stack that toggles forward (to make the train go forward) and backwards (reverse); straight out perpendicular to the train is the "stop" position. Also, you have to start at a stop/switch station. One other note: behind the red stack, there is a smaller black stack. If you turn this, you can make smoke come out of the stack. I think I remember someone suggesting a drop of cooking oil. Hope this helps!!! Hope you get it set up for Christmas!!!